The Ashes: Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott suffer injuries ahead of first Test against England | Cricket News
Australia’s bowling attack has been hit by fresh injury scares ahead of The Ashes, with Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott undergoing hamstring scans.
Captain Pat Cummins (back) will miss the series opener against England in Perth starting November 21 and now the hosts are sweating on the fitness of two other pacers.
Senior man Hazlewood left the field on the third morning of New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match against Victoria in Sydney and did not return after lunch, while Abbott – in the Australian squad as a replacement option – also trudged off.
Abbott’s injury came after he took three wickets in six balls at the SCG.
Cummins, speaking to the Australian channel ABCgave a fairly optimistic view of Hazlewood, saying: “They both have scans.
“I haven’t 100% figured out all the details, but I think Joshy was pretty optimistic when he came out, so hopefully he should be okay. Seany, I’m not so sure, I think they’re still evaluating.”
Scott Boland – who has taken 49 wickets at an average of 12.63 in nine Tests in Australia – is expected to replace Cummins in Perth, while uncapped Brendan Doggett is also in Australia’s party for the first Test.
Brendan Doggett is an option to play for Australia in the first Ashes Test
Doggett took five first-innings wickets in Tasmania’s three-wicket win over South Australia, with Cummins saying: “He’s bowled really well the last two games, from what I’ve seen.
“He’s in a really good position to challenge for a place in this first Test. It’s always nice to have a team full of fit people, and he’s certainly one of those guys.”
Cummins said he played at 90 per cent during a training session in Sydney on Tuesday, but reiterated he would not be ready for Perth, with the second Test in Brisbane, a day and night from December 4, the earliest possible for the 32-year-old.
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26
Every hour in the UK and Ireland
- First try: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2h30) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4:30 a.m.) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third try: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (00:00) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth try: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11:30 p.m.) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11:30 p.m.) – Sydney Cricket Ground
